Key adapter for draft gear



Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,351

' B. W. KDEL KEY ADAPTER FOR DRAFT GEAR vFiled Oct. 4, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 15, 1927.

B. ,W. KADEL KEY ADAPTER FOR DRAFT GEAR Filed 0015.4. 1924 4 Sheets-Shea?l 2 Nov. l5, 1927. 1,649,351

B. w. KABEL KEY ADAPTER FOR DRAFT GEAR Filed Oct. 4, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,351

B. w KADEL KEY ADAPTER FOR DRAFT GEAR Filed Oct. 4. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Y ll/ lll/Ill Il r \\t\\ IIVIIII'IIIIIIIII my /2 m Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UNITE!)y STATES PATENT OFFICE.'

BYERS W. KADEL, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE SYMINGTON COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

KEY ADAPTER .non DRAFT GEAR.

Application led October 417924. Serial No. 741,598.

The invention relates to draftrigging in which the coupler and yoke are connected by a key such, for example, as in the F arloW draft rigging.

5 The primary object of the invention, generally stated, is to provide means adapted for engagementwvith the coupler key of a draft gear, whereby a key of smaller size than the yoke key slot may be used as the coupler connecting key Without causing faulty operation of the parts. y

Formerly, the parts of a draft gear of the type mentioned Were so constructed asy to employ a draft key of considerably smaller size than that used at present as part of the standard equipment. Many cars equipped With couple-rs having openings prepared to receive the obsolete site of 4draft key are in service and the railroads have on hand a large number of such keys. The more recently constructed cars have the key receiving slots in their center sills and cheek plates of a size to receive 'the larger more n'iodern keys. ln the event of any necessity Q5 for replacement of the coupler it frequently occurs that the only vavailable replacement Vparts on hand are thelold style couplers constructed to use. the small draft keys. However, it is impossible to use the smallr keys in the standard gear owing to the fact that the difference between the small key and the proper key is so great that the employment of the former Would result in permitting a considerable degree of movement Which 5 would shortlycause destruction Aof the parts. Owing to these .circumstances and facts, 1t becomes evident that the necessity arises for adapting thel available parts, namely, couplers and draft keys of the old size, for use 40 in connection with the standard gear.,

The object of the invention, more spe cifically stated, is to provide an attachment in the nature of a shim adapted to be engaged upon the small or old style key at the portions thereof engaged by the armsof the yoke or coupler connecting means, whereby these portions of the small size key are enlarged to the size of the standard or modern key so as to thereby permit of its successful employment.

A n important object of the invention is the provision of an attachment or shim device capable of considerable variation in so far as the detailed construction is concerned, depending upon Whether it is desired to locate the replacement key, equipped with the attachment, at the centers of the slots in vthe sills and cheek plates or at the bottom of the slots, this detail being of importance With respect to certain types of draft gears in connection with which the invention may be used. n i

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shim or building-up device which is capable of being formed as a single integral element such as a casting or the like, or constructed from a. plurality of parts suitably connected, secured or united. y

A further object of the invention is to provide a shim furnished with means Whereby it may be positioned on the key Without the employment of auxiliary securing devices. v

'lo these and other ends the' invention com'- prises the various elements and combinations of elements to'be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features thereof being pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a View, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, showing' standard draft gear attachments, except the coupler, and illustrating the invention in con? nection With the old style coupler key.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the gear, the coupler being represented by dot and dash lines, the section being taken through one of the key adapters.

Figure 3 is a detail section through the key and the adapter thereon, the section being taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4t is a side elevation of one of the members used in Constructing the adapter.

Figure 5 is an end view thereof illustrating a method of making, or forming the adapter, the initial position being shown by full' lines and the final position bydot and dash lines.

.Figure 6 is a side elevation of the other member forming part of the adapter.

Figure 7 is an end elevation thereof.

Figure 8 is a side elevation showing the two members assembled. y

Figure 9 is a detail section through the adapter on the line 9,-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view partly in plan and partly in horizontal section showing two modified forms of the invention.

Figure 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a detail view of one of the modilied adapters.

rlhroughout the specification and drawings like parts are designated by like reference characters.

Referring more particularly to the 'drawings, I have illustrated a draft gear in which the numeral 1 designates the center sills having the usual slots or openings 2. Gonnected to the outer faces of said sills and surrounding the said slots are the cheek plates 3 formed with key-receiving slots 4 and 5. Between the sills is the usual yoke 6 having slots 7 and 8 therein opposite the slots 4 and 5 in the cheek plates. Within the yoke is the usual follower 9 which forms the forward element of the ordinary cushion device which is not shown in detail but which is diagrammatically illustrated by the dot and dash lines 10. rI`he follower 9 has a slot 11 through which passes a key 12 extending through the slots 5 and 8 in the cheek plates and yoke, respectively.

he draft gear further includes a coupler which abuts against the followerl 9 and which is provided with a transverse slot through which passes the coupler key, the ends of said key being received within the slots 4 and 7 in the cheek plates and yoke, respectively. In a standard gear the coupler key is of the same size as the key 12. This is, however, not illustrated as in the present instance I have shown a coupler 13 of the type having a slot 14 for the passage of a key 15 of the small size, in actual practice one and one-eighth inches thick and five inches wide as compared with the present standard key 12 which is one and one-half inches thick and six inches wide.

To adapt the key 15 for use in the standard gear illustrated in which all the key slots are of the size to receive the above mentioned larger keys, I make use of an adapter designated generally by the numeral 16, which adapter is designed to be secured upon the key 15 at that portion thereof passing through the slots 4 and 7, two of course being used, one at each end of the key.

While it is true that this adapter might have any desiredspeciic form, I have, in Figures 4 to 9, inclusive, illustrated a convenient construction. Referring to these figures in detail, the numeral 17 designates an elongated bar-like member formed at opposite sides with spaced laterally extending lugs or projections 18. One edge 19 of the bar member is convex to conform to the ourvature at the ends of the key slots, while the other edge 20 is concave, the curvature preferably conforming to that of the edge of the key 15. In connection with this bar meiuber I provide a shell member 21 of sheet metal which is initially bent into the V- shape illustrated in Figure 5. Near its angle the opposite sides of the member 21 are formed with .elongated openings 22 of the same length but slightly greater width than the lugs or projections 18. One corner of the member 21 may be cut away, at 28, whereby the angle or bight portion will be of less length than the entire member, thus defining extensions 24 which are formed with spaced holes 25 arranged at a distance apartV corresponding to the holes 26 commonly provided in the end portions of the key 15 for the reception of a staple-like securing element 27.

Sil

In assembling the members 17 and 21the l former is placed within the bight portion of the latter in such position that when the latter is bent or pressed into purely U-shape, as shown in Figure 5, the lugs or projections 18 will be received within the openings 22, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The slight difference between the width of the openings 22 and the lugs 18 is to permit the engagement of the openings upon the lugs or projections during the-bending or pressingA of the member 21, as will be readily apparent. When the parts are thus pressed together, the assembly will be, in effect, the same as if they were integral.

In applying the above described adapter, it is engaged upon the key 15, one at each end thereof, so as to build up and increase the size of the key at the points where itpasses through the slots 4 and 7 in the cheek plates and yoke, respectively, the built-up key then having the same dimensions as the standard key 12. Securing is eected by engaging the staple-like members 27, or their equivalent, through the registering holes 25 and 26 in the adapter and key, respectively, subsequently to which the ends of the securing member are outstruck or upset, as indicated at 28.

In Figures 10, 11 and 12 lI have illustrated a slightly different draft gear although'embodying the same principles and having the same general structure as above described. It is sometimes desirable in adapting the small key 15 of the coupler for use in con,- nection with this gear to locate the key at the bottom of the slots in the cheek plates instead of in the center as with'the employment of the above described adapter. In Figure 10 I have shown two modified forms of adapters designated broadly by the numerals 30 and 31. In carrying out the modified form of the invention I construct the adapter as a shim and it may conveniently be formed as acasting inasmuch as it involves only a single part having oneY end 32 convex and corresponding to the curvature at one end' of the adapter slot, which end 82 lll) is of the full thickness of the standard key 12. The remainder of the shim or adapter has a single side wall 33 intended to overlie the key 12 and formed with the holes 34 to register with the holes lin the key. The in ner face of the thick end is concaved, as shown `at 35, for conforming 'engagement against the edge of the key. 'At the bottolnof Figure l I have Vshown an adapter of this type secured to the key by the above described staple device 27. y

The adapter 3l shown at the top of Figure isridentically the same as the adapter except that the holes 34'for thel securing member 27 are omitted, the inner end of the adapter being formed with atlange 36 adapted to engage against the inner face or side of the yoke for preventing outward displacement f the adapter. Inward displacement is of course impossible owing to the fact that the adapter extends to a point near the side ofy the coupler.

ilVhile certain detailed construction isfdescribed and shown, it is obvious that various changes may be made in respect to the exact format-ion and that the method of making the adapter may be changed within wide limits, depending upon preference and different conditions which may exist at the present time or some future time. It is likewise true that while the adapters have been represented as `provided withholes for the passage of a staple-like securing member of conventional form, there is no restriction in this regard as any other desired or preferred securing means may be provided iffound advantageous.

An adapter or shim such as that forming the "subject-matter of this invention will greatly facilitate the repairing of and replacement of parts in cars and will make it yoke slots for preventing loss of motion between said coupler and yoke upon movement of the coupler in one direction.

2. In a draft rigging, the combination with a slotted coupler, a slotted yoke, a key for connecting said coupler and yoke,said

key fitting within said coupler slots, said yoke slots normally extending forwardly of the coupler slots, and means detachably engageable upon the key and adapted to engage the adjacent portions of said yoke slots for preventing loss of motion between said coupler and yoke upon movement of the coupler in one direction.

3. In al draft rigging, the lcombination with a slotted coupler, .a slotted yoke,a key for'connecting said coupler and'yoke, 'saio yoke slots normally extending forwardly. of the coupler slots, and means fdetachably engageable upon the key and adapted toengage the adj acentportions of said yoke slots for preventing loss of motion between said coupler and yoke upon movement of lthe coupler-in one direction, said means having a portion overlying a side of the key.

4. In a draft rigging, the combination with a slotted coupler, a yoke with slots intended for a relatively large key, a relatively small key for connect-ing said coupler and 'f yoke, said yoke slots normally extendingorwardly of the coupler slots, and means adapted to seat upon the kkey and engage the adjacent portions of said yoke slots to take up abnormal clearance lbetween said yoke and key.

5. kIn a draft rigging, the combination with a slotted coupler, a slotted yoke, a key for connecting said coupler and yoke, said key passing through said coupler slots, said yoke slots'normally extending forwardly of the coupler slots, and means detachablyfen'- gageable upon the key and adapted to engage the adjacent portions ofsaidyokeslots Afor preventing loss of motionv between said coupler and yokeupon movement of the couplerin one direction, saidl means having a portion conformingly engaging against `an edge of the key and further having a portion overlying the key. f

6. In a draft rigging, lthe combination with a slotted coupler, a slottedyoke, la key for connecting .l said coupler and yoke, said key being received in said coupler slots,.said

`yokeslots normallyextending forwardly of the couplerslots, means interposed between an edge of said key and the adjacent portions of said yoke slots for preventing loss of motion between said coupler and yoke upon movement of the coupler in one direction, and means for holding said rst named means against movement with respect to the ke 5i. In a draft rigging, the combination with a slotted coupler, a slotted yoke, a key for connecting said coupler and yoke, said key extending within said coupler slots, said yoke slots normally extending forwardly of the coupler slots, means interposed between an edge of said key and the adjacent portions of said yoke slots for preventing loss of motion between said coupler and yoke upon movement of the coupler in one direction, and detachable means securing said means to the key.

8. In a draft rig ing, the combination with a slotted coup er, a slotted yoke, a. key for connecting said coupler and yoke, said yoke slots extending at one end beyond the coupler slots, and a shim device engagep able -upon the key and interposed between an edgethereof and the adjacent ends of said yoke slots for preventing loss of motion between said coupler and yoke upon movement of the coupler in one direction.

9. In a draft rigging, the combination withv a slotted,coupler, a slotted yoke, a key for connecting said coupler and yoke, said key fitting within said coupler slots, said yoke slots normally extending forwardly of the coupler slots, and means separate from said coupler interposed between an edge of said key and the adjacent portions of said yoke slot-s for preventing loss of motion between said coupler and yoke upon movement of the coupler under draft.

10. In a draft gear including members connected by a key, certain of the members being provided with slots intended to receive a key of a larger size, the combination with the key, ofmeans for effecting increase in the size thereof to correspond to the slots.

11. In a draft gear including members connected by a key, certain of the members being provided with slots intended to receive a key of a larger size, the combination with the key, of means for effecting increase in the size thereof to correspond lto the slots, said means being located on the key at points of engagement thereof within the slots. 12. In a draft gear embodying a key received within slots of greater size than the key, the combination with the key, of means engageable thereon for effecting enlargement to correspond with the size of the slots and means connecting said enlarging means and key.

13. In a draft gear embodying a key received within slots of greater size than the key, the combination with the key, of means engageable thereon for effecting enlargement to correspond with the size of the slots, said means extending in partially embracing relation to the key and means connecting said enlarging means and key and serving to secure said key in position.

14. In a draft-gear embodying a key received within slots of greater size than the key, the combination with the key, of means engageable thereon for effecting enlargement to correspond with the size ofthe slots, said means including a portion disposed against the side of the key and a portion engaged against an edge thereof, and means for connecting said key and enlarging means.

15. In a draft gear embodying a key received within slots of greater size than the key, the combination with the key, of means engageable thereon for effecting enlargement to correspond with the size of the slots, said means having an inner surface conformingly engaging the key and an outer surface adapted to engage slotted portions of associated gear retaining means.

16. In a draft gear embodying a key received within slots in associated sills of greater size than the key, the combination with tlie key, of means engageable thereon for effecting enlargement to correspond with the slots, said means having an inner surface conformingly engaging the key, and an outer surface conforming to the shape of the ends of the slots.

17. In a draft gear embodying a key received within slots of greater size than the key, the combination with the key, of means engageable thereon for effecting enlargement to correspond with the slots, and means for holding said means against displacement upon the key. v

In testimony whereof I afx my signature.

BYERS W. KADEL. 

